30 December, 2020
Hot Apple Toddy Mix
Maybe it’s the New Yorker in me, but there are times when my soul craves nothing more than a hot, spiced apple beverage. Unfortunately, out here in Idaho, they consider apple juice and apple cider to be the same thing. What a delight when my grocery order arrived with my “apple cider” in a plastic jug, clear as a window and tinted amber. It wasn’t going to work for my initial plan, but that doesn’t mean there was nothing I could do to apply the old “life, lemons, lemonade” treatment.
This toddy mix is made with alcohol that gets mostly cooked out and can be enjoyed in its less-alcoholic form or with the added touch of bourbon, rum, or brandy that you see fit.
Ingredients
8 cups (2 liters) Apple juice
3 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup Spiced rum
3/4 cup Orange juice (fresh-squeezed is best, if you can)
2 tbsp Brown sugar
1 Orange peel (thick, like this, either peeled off by hand or cut with a knife)
4 Cinnamon sticks
20 Whole cloves
18 Allspice berries
—
In a saucepan or small pot over medium heat, combine all your liquids, sugar, and spices. Stir gently to dissolve the sugar, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Continue to cook uncovered over medium heat for 30-60 minutes, stirring occasionally. The longer you let it cook, the more prominent the spices will get and the more alcohol will cook out.
Once you’re finished simmering everything, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for about 10 minutes. Fish out the spices and the orange peel with a slotted spoon and store in a sanitized jar, bottle, or pitcher in the fridge. To prepare, pour into a pot or glass and bring the mix back up to temperature. Add a nip of alcohol if you’d like and a cinnamon stick for garnish, and enjoy!
